"Fail Forward": How The York School Builds Innovation w/ Afzal Shaikh

In this episode of LearnIt: Behind the Chalkboard, we sit down with Afzal Shaikh, the Director of Information Technology at The York School. But Afzal isn’t just managing devices; he is managing culture. He shares his philosophy on why technology is only as good as the people using it, and why "failing" might be the most important part of innovation.

In this episode you will discover:

The "Smartest Person" Paradox: Afzal challenges the traditional view of leadership. He explains why a leader shouldn't try to be the smartest person in the room because the smartest person is the room.

Failing Forward: Innovation is messy. We discuss how to build a school culture where teachers feel safe to experiment, make mistakes, and "fail forward" without fear of judgment.

Don't Blame the Tool: Afzal shares a humbling personal story about a student using a Blackberry years ago. It’s a powerful lesson on why we shouldn't judge the tools students use, but rather focus on the learning outcome.
AI as a Partner: Moving past the fear of replacement. Afzal breaks down how schools can use Artificial Intelligence intentionally,not to do the work for us, but to supplement and expand what is possible in the classroom.

This conversation is essential for IT directors, school administrators navigating digital change, and educators who want to bridge the gap between pedagogy and technology.

#LearnItPodcast #TheYorkSchool #EdTechLeadership #DigitalTransformation #FailForward #AIinEducation #SchoolCulture #ITDirector


Music by httpswww.bensound.comfree-music-for-videos
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Artist Marcus P.